Thursday, April 30, 2015

A track employee makes his rounds for the last time
after Bowie writes the final chapter in its history.

July 13, 1985: According to the Baltimore Sun, more than 12,000 fans gathered at the Bowie Race Course for the final day of horse racing - seventy-one years after the track first opened. The last race ended, and General Manager Al Karwacki passed out trophies in the winners' circle. Some of the race track employees were recognized, and "Thanks for the Memories" played over the public address system. A Guy Lombardo version of "Auld Lang Syne" played next, and the infield board began flashing the message, "Bowie: 1914-1985, Thanks.". The emotion was too much for Karwacki and his wife Lorraine, and they both began to cry. Racing at the Bowie Race Course was no more.

Baltimore Sun photographer Gene Sweeney, Jr. snapped this picture of a race track employee in the grandstands after all the fans had left.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Pastries are for sale once again in Bowie's Hilltop Plaza. After being closed for two months, The Cakery is back in business. According to the new owner, Freddy Trujillo, customers can expect to see the same treats that have been available at the store since the 1990s - cookies, cupcakes, danishes, croissants, tarts, pies, cakes and more. Many items are available for immediate purchase, including pies and cakes, but Trujillo recommends ordering pies and cakes two or more days in advance.

The Cakery is open from 8am to 5pm, Tuesday through Friday, and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays. Trujillio may expand the hours in the future.

The Cakery is located on the back side of Hilltop Plaza, 6776 Race Track Rd, Bowie, MD 20715.